Run for Donate Life Connecticut - Hartford ING Marathon

THE STORY:

Friends & Family-

As many of you know, about 8 or 9 years ago I was made aware that I have a degenerative cornea condition called keratoconus. It is a severe weakening of the cornea that leads to constant changing of the astigmatism in the eye, resulting in the need for a cornea transplant in roughly 25% of cases.

I guess I'm "lucky" because I am that 1 in 4. On May 17, 2012 I underwent a penetrating keratoplasty or cornea transplant, in my right eye. It was very successfully performed by Dr. Gilbert at Hartford Hospital.

I do joke about being the "lucky" 1 in 4, but I truly do feel lucky. It has been a long 8 or 9 years of needing to change the strength and fittings in my contact lenses about 2 or 3 times a year. Each time it became a longer, more difficult, and painful process of just getting the right fit to be able to see clearly, only to need to go through it again in a few months.

I also feel lucky because someone out there, probably someone who passed away far too early, in their 20s or 30s, decided to donate their organs and tissue. The gift that they and their family made will allow me to clearly see again.

I want to help raise awareness for organ and tissue donation, as a very small attempt at paying back the gift I've been given (and a "down payment" on the very real potential I will need the same thing in my left eye). So I will be running the Hartford Half-Marathon on October 13th (just less than 5 months after my surgery) for Donate Life Connecticut. My goal is to raise $1,000 (or more) to help them, but to also encourage people to become an organ donor. Please give whatever you can (look in the upper right corner for the "donate" button) and please make the important decision to be an organ donor and discuss your intentions with your family.

Finally, I want to thank Rachel, my family, co-workers, and friends for being so supportive leading up to, during, and following my surgery. Although I am still working with Dr. Gilbert to get my vision back to 20/20 with contacts or glasses, it is looking (pun intended) promising.

Jeff

If you would like to learn more about Donate Life Connecticut, please continue reading.

Did you know 1 organ and tissue donor can SAVE and IMPROVE the lives of 75 people?

Donate Life Connecticut is dedicated to increasing the number of registered organ and tissue donors through outreach and education. Our organization is Volunteer driven...people that have received an organ/tissue transplant, donor families whose loved ones gave the gift of life, living donors, friends and family. We are all passionate about sharing our stories and raising awareness.

Right here in Connecticut more than 1,250 men, women and children wait for a life-saving transplant...and more than 113,000 Americans wait nationwide. Unfortunately, 18 people will die every day simply because an organ did not come in time. We want to change these statistics. More registered donors means more transplants...MORE LIVES SAVED.

THANK YOU for JOINING OUR TEAM! THANK YOU for supporting our cause!

Together we can raise awareness! Together we can save lives!

If you are so generous to donate to our cause- please be aware during check out to UNCLICK the option at check out to pay a processing fee (this is a 'tip' of sorts to the fundraising company - and does not offset the credit card fee charged to Donate Life CT). Bring the drop down menu 'tip' processing fee to $0. Sorry for the inconvenience - but we don't want you to be overcharged your intended gift. Thank you!

Monica Michaud & Jonathan March

The Vajda Family

Jim & Debby Eichenberger

Arthur Diaz

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